As the United States approaches the historic milestone of the 250th Anniversary of its Independence, the Tennessee World Affairs Council will host a special Distinguished Speaker Series panel to reflect on the vital role of the United States Armed Forces in shaping, protecting, and leading the nation globally.
This distinguished panel will provide a historical and strategic timeline of the evolution of America’s military institutions and their contributions to national security, democratic values, technological advancement, international stability, and the shaping of global affairs.
The discussion will explore the role of the armed forces from the Revolutionary War to the present day, highlighting key historical moments, major conflicts, military transformations, and America’s capacity to project leadership, protect its allies, and defend its interests worldwide.
This event aims not only to honor the service and sacrifice of generations of military personnel but also to foster a broader public understanding of the strategic importance of the armed forces in the history, national security, and international leadership of the United States.
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Wednesday, August 12, 2026 I 11:00am-1:00pm
* Luncheon Event *
Venue:
Richland Country Club – 1 Club Drive, Nashville, TN 37215
Register Now
Featured Moderator: Dr. Breck Walker
Breck Walker pursued a twenty-year career in international business, law, and finance before turning to academia. For several years, he taught foreign policy courses at Sewanee, The University of the South, and worked as a contract historian for the Office of the Secretary of Defense Historical Office, researching and writing on the early Pentagon policies in the computer security and cyber areas. Dr. Walker is currently retired.
Featured Panelist: LT CMDR Patrick Ryan
Patrick Ryan is President Emeritus and founder of the Tennessee World Affairs Council. In 2007 Mr. Ryan organized a group of concerned citizens to launch Tennessee’s first World Affairs Council, to bring global awareness education programs and resources to communities and schools in the state. The Council, responding to the statewide interest in its programs, moved from its first home in Cookeville to Nashville where it is hosted on the campus of Belmont University.
Mr. Ryan was born and raised in New York City. At age 17 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served a 26-year career, assigned first in the Persian Gulf in 1973 followed by assignments in the Submarine Service where he attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer. Mr. Ryan received a BA degree at the University of South Carolina, in 1981, majoring in International Studies followed by commissioning in the Navy as an Ensign. Mr. Ryan served aboard numerous ships, headquarters staffs and overseas assignments before retiring in 1998 as a Lieutenant Commander. Among his assignments were the Joint Staff in the Pentagon, the Center for Naval Analyses, and US Central Command headquarters. He has lived and worked in Bahrain, Italy and Japan and has traveled to about 50 countries for work and leisure.
Patrick Ryan was the President and founder of Ryan & Associates, an editorial consulting firm based in Nashville, from 1999 to 2015, specializing in online global affairs information resources, especially covering developments in the Middle East.
Mr. Ryan also serves as the founding President of the Tennessee Submarine Memorial Association, on the National Geographic State Advisory Board, and on the U.S. Global Leadership Council’s Tennessee State Committee.
Featured Panelist: COL Kevin Baird
Colonel (Retired) Kevin Baird was originally commissioned as an Armor Officer and later transitioned to the Logistics Corps. During his career, he commanded a forward support company in Baghdad as part of the 1st Cavalry Division and the 53rd Transportation Battalion, deploying to Liberia in support of the response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Kevin held several key positions in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, including Director of Transportation, Senior Advisor in the Office of Industrial Base Policy, and Chief of Staff to the Under Secretary for Acquisition and Sustainment. In his final assignment, he served as the Logistics Advisor for the United States Mission to NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. He holds degrees from Vanderbilt University and the University of Missouri of Science and Technology. He is also a graduate of the Army’s School of Advanced Military Studies.
Featured Panelist: BRIG Gen Eden Murrie
Eden Murrie is the Chief Executive Officer of Murrie Solutions, where she leads strategic consulting initiatives for a range of clients. Prior to returning to the private sector, she served as CEO of Operation Stand Down Tennessee, a leading
non-profit supporting military veterans. Before assuming the CEO role, she served as the organization’s Chief Operating Officer, driving operational excellence and program expansion.
Earlier in her non-profit career, Eden was a Director at the Partnership for Public Service in Washington, D.C. In the business sector, she served as a consultant for major corporations, including Moog Inc. and Boston Consulting Group.
Before transitioning to the non-profit and business sectors, Brigadier General Murrie concluded a distinguished 29-year career in the United States Air Force, culminating as Director of Air Force Services at the Pentagon. Her senior executive experience includes serving on the National Security Staff at the White House, working on the staff of a Member of Congress, managing a $2
billion global program portfolio, and leading multinational teams. A master navigator with over 2,400 flying hours, she also served as an instructor in three different aircraft.
Eden continues to serve her community through board positions with many organizations, including Centerstone Military Services and the Davidson County Veterans Court Foundation. She is also an advisor for Veteran Ventures Capital and Nashville YWCA’s Dress for Success program.
She is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and holds master’s degrees in political science and national security strategy, as well as an MBA from Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management. Eden and her husband, Jon, have been married for 37 years and have one daughter.
